Think Thoroughbred, Think Ireland Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 189y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 91| BF

Much improved on his second handicap start when runner-up at Stratford (22f, good to soft) last March. Not so good at Southwell the following month, but very much one to consider on return/chase debut (made frame all 3 starts in points).

Form: 770025-

Carpe Diem^v¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 90| CD

8/11

Had been out of sorts but presumably fitter for his return, transformed as he dominated his rivals in a first-time visor in 7-runner C&D handicap a fortnight ago, jumping bolding. Handicapper has reacted with a 10 lb rise but will be bang there again if the visor continues to do the trick.

Form: P2-1341

Ballywood^b1,t¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 83

20/1

Veteran on a long losing run but showed he can be competitive from reduced mark when third at Ffos Las (19f, soft) in November. Tailed off on both subsequent outings so probably best to look elsewhere despite his tumbling mark. Blinkers replace a visor.

Form: 4-P4367

Owl Of Athens³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 79| D

11/2

Landed a gamble over hurdles at Uttoxeter last January and whilst he's bred to make a chaser, it's been a very low-key start for him in this sphere.

Form: 013-578

Ceejaybe^t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 76

14/1

Long-standing maiden who posted best effort in this sphere when very good third of 10 in handicap at Fontwell last April. Failed badly to repeat that effort back there the following month (jumped poorly) and little to shout about in both point outings since.

Form: 443-P55

Cracker Muddle¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 62

13/2

Bred more for stamina than speed and yet to beat a rival in 3 starts, most recently at Lingfield after 11 months off. Needs this switch to chasing/handicap company to be transformative (3 lb out of the weights) but that's possible.

Form: 45-8

Forecasts

Carpe Diem (4/7), Dublin To Milan (10/3), Cracker Muddle (10/1), Owl Of Athens (16/1), Ceejaybe (16/1), Ballywood (20/1)

CARPE DIEM left previous efforts in this discipline behind when bolting up in a first-time visor over C&D a fortnight ago. Provided the headgear is just as effective here, David Bridgwater's 8-y-o is strongly fancied to defy a 10 lb rise and follow up. The obvious threat is Dublin To Milan, who is very much the type to flourish over fences (made frame all 3 starts in points) and makes his return from 10 months off.